HND Games Development

If you have completed the HNC course and wish to develop your skills, knowledge, and behaviours further, this is the best course for you. Along with developing your skills, this course will enhance your employability and prepare you for a successful career within the field of games development. Industry standard software and disciplines are the main drive of this course. Continued development of software and knowledge of industry standard tools and techniques utilising Maya, Blender, Unreal Engine, Substance Painter/Designer and Zbrush.

Students will continue to develop and polish their portfolio of 3D and design work that will be showcased through the industry platform Artstation as a communication tool that can be sent to future employers or continued HE provisions. This will continue to be developed across the HNC and HND games development courses to showcase the skills acquired and passion for the field of game design.

The HND Games Development course has been designed to continue enhancing the essential skills required to work in the video games industry. Learners are actively pushed to explore new and industry lead softwares through active and engaging assignment briefs, giving each student the freedom to direct their work at their desired job role. Learners will complete a dedicated unit to enhance employability skills further. New software tools and techniques are introduced through weekly workshops to ensure learners who progress into the final year of a degree top up or seek employment are prepared for the essential next steps and meet the entry requirements for working at a professional level.

The HND Games Development course will consist of the following units:

B1: Personal Professional Development

Project 1: Industry Readiness Assignment

In this assignment students will take a deep dive into the games industry and the roles that will be available to them. The aim of this assignment is to give students a clear and concise understanding of their next steps into industry. Course content will include an exploration into roles and responsibilities of industry professionals in AAA studios and indie developers. There will be emphasis on the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to secure a role within the industry. Students will also have the opportunity to work on improving their technical ability to target roles within the current job market.

B2: Final Professional Project

Project 2: Personal Professional Project

In this assignment students will have the opportunity to put into practice what they have learnt and create a project that is bespoke to their chosen career path. This assignment is a chance for students to develop their own brief to work on a portfolio piece based around one of the many roles available to them within the industry. This could be a 3D modelling project to develop a portfolio piece or a game prototype to showcase their design skills.

Please note that modules listed are indicative and may be subject to change. We do not guarantee that a non-mandatory unit will always run in any given academic year as options may be dependent on student numbers, sector requirement, and staff expertise.

Following completion of the HND you could progress on to university to complete a top up course and achieve a BA honours degree, or you may wish to enter employment within the games industry.

Throughout the course, professional game designers, developers, and testers may visit the college to deliver talks and guest workshops. Working practices and production methods are delivered in line with industry and this will be articulated throughout the programme.

You will be encouraged to establish your own links within the games industry and attend regular conventions, screenings, or exhibitions in order to broaden your understanding of game and animation conventions and professional practice. You will have the opportunity to develop and exhibit your work via a digital portfolio, ready for the next step in your creative journey.

The college offers a very high-quality education for HE students. HE student feedback is strong, and students are highly complimentary of their learning experience. HE students have access to specialist facilities and resources to support their programme of study as well as designated HE learning spaces to support independent study.

Access to industry standard software such as zbrush, substance painter, Maya and Unreal Engine 5.

Here at Warrington & Vale Royal College we have a team of dedicated, experienced staff who can share their extensive knowledge and skills with you. Learning in a friendly and inclusive environment, you will be fully supported to achieve your goals.

Throughout the course you will take part in live project briefs in conjunction with local clients, in order to boost your employability and develop the skills required for employment in this exciting sector.

You must have the following:

• A HNC in Creative Media (Games Development), as the HND one year programme is a direct follow on from the HNC.

AND

• A* to C grade and/or 9 to 4 in GCSE English (language or literature)
• A* to C grade and/or 9 to 4 in GCSE maths is also recommended.

Non-native English speakers who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English need to demonstrate capability in English at a standard equivalent to the levels identified below. This is necessary before being recruited to the programme, as the programme is both taught and assessed in English:

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2
• IELTS 5.5; reading and writing must be 5.5.

All HNC/HND programmes require the completion of a personal statement and curriculum-set task prior to an admissions interview being offered. Further information on this will be provided to you upon receipt of your application. You will also be required to provide a reference from one of the following options:

• A previous course leader/teacher (if progressing from a recently attended further or higher education course)
• A recent or current employer
• An appropriate professional who can provide a character reference (if you have not been in recent education or employment).

Students applying to study on a Higher Education course can apply for a HE student loan at www.gov.uk/student-finance

For further Finance support and enquiries please visit https://wvr.ac.uk/adults/higher-education

The programme leader will make you aware of any additional requirements during induction and at the beginning of each new project, however, please find listed below a breakdown for the approximate course costs including personal computer equipment, art equipment, and college trips/visits.

Prior to beginning the course, you will need to purchase a personal computer that can be accessed at all times. The specification must be suitable for the creative field and must be able to run the specialist software utilised on the course. This software includes Autodesk Maya, Blender, Substance Painter/Designer, Zbrush and Unreal Engine. All software listed are free to download as an educational licence, however you will need to acquire hardware that can handle the specifications for each of these. Prices range from £800 - £1000. However, due to the ever-growing industry, it may be useful to purchase a more powerful computer to ensure its future proofing.

Prior trips include Alton Towers, Chester Zoo, Manchester ComicCon and Bury Arcade Club. All of these events are priced differently but at a discounted student price, plus travel costs, which will be subject to change based on student numbers attending the event.

External hard drives must also be purchased to secure coursework, and to enable transfer of work between college and home. A 500GB hard drive can be purchased for approximately £35 and will provide sufficient data storage.

The remainder of the personal equipment expected whilst studying on the HE courses includes notebooks, sketchbooks, pens, and pencils.